The Oilers’ season will once again end at the same time as the NHL playoffs begin. Edmonton plays its final game tonight against the “Vancouver Canucks” – with third place locked up, the Northwest Division champs will rest a bunch of players against the Oilers, underlining the fact that this game is almost entirely meaningless.

The Opposition

There will be no need to worry about the Sedin twins putting on a passing clinic tonight.

AV on Henrik: "He'll start on a line tonight with Dale Weise and Steve Pinizzotto."

So: the Canucks will be without their three ice-time leaders on the blue line, and of their three ice-time leaders at forward two will be scratched and one will be playing on the fourth line. Frank Corrado (nine games of professional experience) led the team in even-strength ice-time one game ago and is likely to repeat the feat against the Oilers.

The Oilers

Presumably the Oilers use more or less the same forward combinations they played against Minnesota, but the defence is where things might get interesting. Mark Fistric left the game against the Wild early, Ryan Whitney has a leg injury, and Theo Peckham has mono, meaning the Oilers only have five healthy defencemen.

Yesterday’s lines:

Taylor Hall – Shawn Horcoff – Nail Yakupov

Magnus Paajarvi – Sam Gagner – Jordan Eberle

Ryan Jones – Eric Belanger – Anton Lander

Ryan Smyth – Jerred Smithson – Mike Brown

Ladislav Smid – Jeff Petry

Nick Schultz – Corey Potter

Mark Fistric – Justin Schultz

Devan Dubnyk will start for Edmonton.

Predictions

Game day prediction: Yesterday I predicted a dull, soul-crushing affair for the Oilers. They won 6-1. Since that worked out so well, this game’s going to be even more lopsided – a 4-0 Vancouver victory, with Frank Corrado scoring his first NHL goal.

Obvious game day prediction: In keeping with the above, by the end of May Oilers Nation will be flooded with complaints that the 4-0 score on the website’s “last game” marker is depressing.

Not-so-obvious game day prediction: Cam Barker will have a strong night on Vancouver’s third pairing. Jay Feaster, watching the game because Calgary’s season is already over, will be struck by Barker’s draft pedigree (mentioned on the broadcast), puck-moving ability, and size, then click over to NHL Numbers to see that he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. The Flames will sign him to a two-year deal on the first day of free agency and Barker’s agent will just be one team away from filling out his Northwest Division clubs bingo card.

Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet, the Edmonton Journal and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

The thing I cannot understand about Schultz's +/- is he's only -3 on the rd. He is actually worse when Krueger gets last change. It blows my mind if your trying to win you don't sacrifice the kid to the wolves... oh yeah right it was never about winning

+/- is more of a reflection of the team, than it is said player. How many times have we seen guys like Nicklas Lidstrom turn guys like Ian White into near allstars. Look what Shea Weber did for Ryan Suter, without Weber pimping Suters ride all those years, no way Ryan gets that contract he received last summer.

Put Justin Schultz on the blueline next to a Weber type, and he goes from -20 to +20 in one year. +/- on a cellar dwelling team is nothing but a B/S statistic. You win as a group, and lose as a group. +/- pffft! Flush all those 5v5,pp,pk,+- down the toilet since losing became managements chosen option. Micro-managing statistics is laughable when failure became the Oilers chosen option.

Not sure what happened to Fistric.......if anyone knows please let me know. I'm a little perplexed as to why RK does not like Fistric. Yes he is a little slower than some of the others, but he has other skills that compensate......I know that he made a glaring mistake on one shift for which he was benched seven games.

I think that every player in the entire NHL has made glaring mistakes but RK's heavy handedness in my mind is uncalled for. In my mind JS has made more mistakes than Fistric and Whitney combined, but never gets punished.

This type of punishment ( without merit) is why coaches lose a room. In my mind RK has lost the team and should suffer some of his own punishment ........banish yourself RK and all your useless motivational speeches.

ASAP, or being really patient are both possibilities. I can also see Craig doing very little till after free agency and keep his options open as long as possible. There will be unprecedented opportunities to upgrade when teams are well over the projected 64.3 cap a month before the season starts. Teams will need to shed dollars/talent for probably very little salary coming back their way. I can see Mact with only 2 or 3 draft choices going into that 2014 draft if he's successful this summer.

Trade up if it's worth it and get that much needed 2nd LC. That BS win over the Wild yesterday is going to probably cost the Oilers a roster player to move up now. A roster player and flip of picks when they should've sand bagged it owned that pick themselves. One meaningless victory pushes us to 7th, instead of possibly 3rd.

Well it looks like we'll be out of the Barkov pick unless he falls or we win the lottery. So depending on Carolina, we'll either be picking 6th or seventh it looks like. As such, I hope we lose tonight and I hope Carolina wins so as to get the 6th pick. Lets see, Jones, Mckinnon, Druoin, Barkov, Nishkenen, and maybe Lazar? So that means we'll likely get a Nurse, or Monahan. I say they will either take Monahan if he's available, or drop a few spots on the rankings and draft for need by picking up Gauthier. The kid is a huge centre, that hopefully can get better skill wise.

Still fingers crossed for the lottery win, trade our first + something to Tampa for their first and Bishop, then just pray Colorado would rather have Druoin or Mckinnon over Barkov.

He was given/agreed to a 1 yr severance package when/after he was fired, hush money. He has to co-operate with this debacle if he hopes to collect these funds. They sure take care of their own well, in those circles.

He was given/agreed to a 1 yr severance package when/after he was fired, hush money. He has to co-operate with this debacle if he hopes to collect these funds. They sure take care of their own well, in those circles.

After Buchberger is hired as head coach, Tambo will be introduced as the new Assistant Coach in charge of Situation Assessment. May the circle be unbroken.

You can joke about Jay Feaster and the Flames as much as you want. Unfortunately, the Oilers' organization has been worse. Remember, the Oilers signed Barker too, and a bunch of other misfits that are still on the Oil roster.

The team may have moved up from 29th place to 23rd, but it is mostly due to the terrible performances of Florida, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Calgary, but hasn't really improved over last season based on many metrics.

Oiler fans can now look forward to real hockey, the SC playoffs, pray for a good draft choice in June, and commiserate over another of many lost seasons. What is happening with the Eskimos?

He was given/agreed to a 1 yr severance package when/after he was fired, hush money. He has to co-operate with this debacle if he hopes to collect these funds. They sure take care of their own well, in those circles.

What is he going to say? And really I am way past giving a sheet what he thinks,says or does not say. 30 GM jobs in the Nhl and he pissed one away by dithering IMO. Lets not waste anymore type on a guy who was never part of the Oilers in circle.

Is Yakupov now in the conversation for the Calder. What if he wins the rookie scoring race? You could argue he did it with less TOI than JH. I am hoping for a Yak trick to put a stamp of finality on this season. Go out with a 8-2 pasting of the depleted Nucks.

Portland vs Edmonton in the WHL final? We'll get to see Seth Jones on Oiler ice. Never know where he'll end up.

You can joke about Jay Feaster and the Flames as much as you want. Unfortunately, the Oilers' organization has been worse. Remember, the Oilers signed Barker too, and a bunch of other misfits that are still on the Oil roster.

The team may have moved up from 29th place to 23rd, but it is mostly due to the terrible performances of Florida, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Calgary, but hasn't really improved over last season based on many metrics.

Oiler fans can now look forward to real hockey, the SC playoffs, pray for a good draft choice in June, and commiserate over another of many lost seasons. What is happening with the Eskimos?

I don't think anybody would say either Alberta franchise has been competently run over the last few seasons.

I think hiring Craig MacTavish was a massive step in the right direction, but his actions will determine whether that is the case or not.

He was given/agreed to a 1 yr severance package when/after he was fired, hush money. He has to co-operate with this debacle if he hopes to collect these funds. They sure take care of their own well, in those circles.

He signed a two year contract extension last year, he's getting paid next year regardless.

I would love to look into the Crystal Ball and see Yakupov score 5 goals to seal the Calder to anyone but J Schultz.Lets see what Nail can do with more than 17 mins of ice-time,lets max him out.

I say the Oil bust up Luongo bad{he will stay in for 60 mins}, and we see an 8-3 Oilers win,with Dubby taking the 1st star.

The Oilers we have on the roster can put the puck on Nails stick enough times for him score 5 goals, if they all attack hard and use Yak as a primary option for 60 mins anything can happen.

Three wristers, a one-timer and a slapper in that order.No that I am challenging the Man or anything.It would be nice to see him score at least 3 goals the same way on the same play just with different finishes shotwise. Or maybe he can blow everyones mind and score all 5 goals off of the same playaction?Thats not possible is it?

The teams goal should be to get Nail at least ten shots on net,and that can be done.

1) Craig MacTavish was the head coach, and based on the work of Pat Quinn after his departure I'm not at all sure it's fair to say he did anything other than a good job with the talent that was assembled.

2) Scott Howson was named general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007. You'll note his departure from the organization was well before rock bottom.

Judge both guys on their own merits - it isn't fair to hang the post-2009 debacle of a team around their necks. They weren't part of the organization at the time.

You can joke about Jay Feaster and the Flames as much as you want. Unfortunately, the Oilers' organization has been worse. Remember, the Oilers signed Barker too, and a bunch of other misfits that are still on the Oil roster.

The team may have moved up from 29th place to 23rd, but it is mostly due to the terrible performances of Florida, Colorado, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Calgary, but hasn't really improved over last season based on many metrics.

Oiler fans can now look forward to real hockey, the SC playoffs, pray for a good draft choice in June, and commiserate over another of many lost seasons. What is happening with the Eskimos?

Pretty hard to argue with your logic.........we are so overjoyed with our four first round prospects that pretty well everyone especially the media has taken their critical eye off the Oilers.

I will give JW credit......Staples too, they did take Oilers management to task the past couple of months. I say that the task of moving and trading assets to create a complete team ( not just the first line) will be harder than what Tamby had to do........absolutely nothing and wait to finish last, and draft first.

For so many year we let good hockey players come and go and not realize their talent and value to a team. The real architect behind this is Klowe and let's pray that Mac T, puts him in his place and does not allow this clown to dictate player transactions. Let's also pray that Mac T does not load this team with a bunch of pluggers in hopes to bolster our ranks with some physical players. He too had a habit in the past to over value defensive player such as Shawn Horcoff, and play them in first line situations.

As far as Feaster is concerned......as much as I think he is a clown, he has out performed the GM's of Edmonton, especially Tamby.

Lowe, MacTavish and Howson had years together to build a winner and failed miserably.

Did they get a lot smarter or did MacT learn how to build a winner based on one year in the Canucks' organization?

Same old, same old.

I was about to point out the hopeless inaccuracy of this post but I see JW beat me to it. Howson was with the Oilers from 2002-2007, leaving after the Stanley Cup final appearance. He was fired in Columbus 10 weeks ago, but he has to be credited at least in part for the Blue Jackets surprising resurgence this year . MacT was a coach, not in management, and thus was not in a place to build the team. His coaching tailed off as the talent on the roster tailed off. That leaves KL. Yes, same old there.

Your kicking people when they are down act is getting so tiresome, DSF. But I notice you have been awful silent about last years favourite target, Sam Gagner - I wonder if that is because he has turned into a serviceable NHL player who currently is tied in scoring with none other than Your Hero, Zach Parise. I hope next year you will be just as silent about Justin Schulz. Or, better still, just silent.

MacT's record as GM has already surpassed Tambo's. The Oilers for the first time since 2002? will finish ahead of the cursed Flames. IMO he already has earned his pesos. MacT is not a stupid man. You don't earn a Master's in anything unless you have a few active brain cells. Add his hockey experience as a player/coach/scout/VP and we'll see a different team in the fall than the one we see now.

I was about to point out the hopeless inaccuracy of this post but I see JW beat me to it. Howson was with the Oilers from 2002-2007, leaving after the Stanley Cup final appearance. He was fired in Columbus 10 weeks ago, but he has to be credited at least in part for the Blue Jackets surprising resurgence this year . MacT was a coach, not in management, and thus was not in a place to build the team. His coaching tailed off as the talent on the roster tailed off. That leaves KL. Yes, same old there.

Your kicking people when they are down act is getting so tiresome, DSF. But I notice you have been awful silent about last years favourite target, Sam Gagner - I wonder if that is because he has turned into a serviceable NHL player who currently is tied in scoring with none other than Your Hero, Zach Parise. I hope next year you will be just as silent about Justin Schulz. Or, better still, just silent.

Sam Gagner a serviceable NHL player? Do you watch anyone other than the Oilers?

Sam Gagner picked up another two points last night and wasn't noticeable at all, take away his 2nd assists and try if you can to isolate big goals and meaningful 1st assists when the game was on the line. That total is quite small.

Sam is over-paid now and of almost no trade value yet guys like you keep beating his drum......most over-rated player since Smyth joined the Oilers.

These types of serviceable NHL players are the reason the Oilers have stunk for the past 20 years....

Go ahead and list Sam's hockey skill-set but 1st here's my list

Win draws - no

Physical - no

Hard-on-the-puck - no

Playmaker - no

Good skater - no

Good shot - no

Good defensibly - terrible

Intimidates opposition - I'm laughing now

Hits the opposition - no

He was a better player his 1st year and that was 6 yrs ago. You want to compare Parise to Gagner? Get a grip.

Sam Gagner a serviceable NHL player? Do you watch anyone other than the Oilers?

Sam Gagner picked up another two points last night and wasn't noticeable at all, take away his 2nd assists and try if you can to isolate big goals and meaningful 1st assists when the game was on the line. That total is quite small.

Sam is over-paid now and of almost no trade value yet guys like you keep beating his drum......most over-rated player since Smyth joined the Oilers.

These types of serviceable NHL players are the reason the Oilers have stunk for the past 20 years....

Go ahead and list Sam's hockey skill-set but 1st here's my list

Win draws - no

Physical - no

Hard-on-the-puck - no

Playmaker - no

Good skater - no

Good shot - no

Good defensibly - terrible

Intimidates opposition - I'm laughing now

Hits the opposition - no

He was a better player his 1st year and that was 6 yrs ago. You want to compare Parise to Gagner? Get a grip.

Sam Gagner 3.2 million 14 goals 23 assists 37 points

Zach Parise 7.53 million 17goals 20assists 37points

Pretty magical for a guy who isn't physical, can't skate, can't pass, can't shoot, can't hit. Wow. How does he do it?

Pretty magical for a guy who isn't physical, can't skate, can't pass, can't shoot, can't hit. Wow. How does he do it?

You will have to excuse Keilan, Slug. He is the president of the DSF fan club while masquerading as an Oilers fan. He has way too much on his plate to take the time to slant or make up questionable stats like his idol. He has to rely on vague uninformed comments instead. Cut the kid some slack.

You will have to excuse Keilan, Slug. He is the president of the DSF fan club while masquerading as an Oilers fan. He has way too much on his plate to take the time to slant or make up questionable stats like his idol. He has to rely on vague uninformed comments instead. Cut the kid some slack.

soupy, DSF forgot more then you'll ever know about hockey. I'm old enough to be your Daddy soupy-boy.

Tell me soupy are you drunk again? You drink and spend your time on Oiler Nation - what do your parents think about this?